Chapter 55: Chapter 27

NATALIE

My mouth drops open when Damon shows me inside his…our home. Everything from the floors up has been redone. The floors are dark gray wood with rugs at the entrance and in front of the couch, and he’s added more furniture.

The walls are also a shade of gray and decorated with incredible paintings, I assume are Damon originals. The gray floors continue into the kitchen that has been completely remodeled the exact way I suggested months ago. The stove is massive with a grill and flat top in the center. The white cupboards are offset by dark gray granite. It’s perfect.

“Wow! You’ve been busy,” I comment as I step to the simplistic wrought iron banister and rails. The stairs are the light gray of the walls with the wood flooring on each step.

“I did it for you. I wanted you to feel at home. Do you like it?” He looks nervous and hopeful.

I shake my head. “I love it. It’s perfect, Damon. The colors, the paintings, the layout. Everything is perfect. It’s not the alpha house anymore.”

He shakes his head with his gorgeous dimpled smile that I love so much. “Nope. It’s the alpha and luna home. The rooms are furnished also. I left your room the same. I figured you would want your own space to start with.”

He’s so considerate of me. He takes my bags then guides me up the stairs. “I’ll make some lunch while you get unpacked.” He sets my bags down then pulls me to him. His eyes are so sincere. “I’m so glad you’re finally here.”

His nose tickles up my neck and my body ignites. “I’m sorry you had to wait so long. I wish I would’ve known months ago.” I pull him to meet my lips.

He kisses me softly, but his grip on my body is firm. He strokes my cheek as he stares into my soul with the smile I never get enough of.

“Damon, you don’t know this, but I fell for you months ago. I only pulled away because I was afraid your mate would show up. I had no idea that I was the luckiest she-wolf alive.”

“I’m the luckiest to have you. I love you. I’ve loved you for so long, it was torture to let you go. Now that we’re bonded, I’m never letting you go again.”

My heart soars above the clouds and he kisses me even more deeply. His body starts to come alive and he clears his throat. “I uh… I’ll go make us some lunch.” I hold back a chuckle and give him a nod.

“So, what’s been going on since I left?” I ask as I rinse my dishes and load them into the dishwasher.

“Well. Freya and Geoff wasted no time in getting established here. I have them running the pack house while Finn’s and my parents were away. She’s one of the trainers now. I think besides Finn, she’s the best fighter here and that’s only because he has beta power.”

“Wouldn’t expect anything less from Bruno’s daughter. I’m sorry he decided to stay at the Redd pack.”

Damon shrugs his shoulder. “He grew up there and owns that diner. I wasn’t expecting him to come. I was hopeful though.” I let out a chuckle and he takes my hand to lead me to his jeep. “On a more serious note, we’ve had the occasional rogue show up out of nowhere.”

“That’s not good.”

He shakes his head. “After Owen’s history, I suspect he has something to do with it, but then I don’t know if he’s dumb enough to try me or if I’m just blaming him because of history.”

“What does your gut tell you?”

“That I can’t trust him. Listen, Natalie. I know you know better but please stay away from him.” His hand holds my cheek. “I couldn’t handle it if anything happened to you.”

I reach up on tiptoe and kiss his cheek. “Of course. I know what he’s capable of.”

He opens my door for me and I slip into my seat. “So, what’s going on with the dungeon? My mother wants me to burn it down.”

“I’m all for it being destroyed, but I need to get inside of it first. There are books down there, but I don’t know if there are any lingering spells or runes left. I don’t know the spell that had your mother trapped there either. I can’t go down and risk losing my pack. Finn volunteered, but I told him not until you’re here. You’re the only one I trust to go down there.” His eyes are worried, but it makes sense.

“I can do it.”

He squeezes my hand. “Not today, my Starlight. We’ll wait until Finn is settled in at least.” I smile at Damon. I love that he called me his Starlight. Not only does it make me feel cherished, but special as well.

After checking in at the pack house, Damon takes me to the hospital that looks bigger than I remember. “A whole new wing has been added. Marlena was incredibly grateful.”

“I bet. It looks great, but what are we doing here?”

“I promised Marlena I would bring you by. She’s known about us since you were here before.”

I stop in my tracks. “You told her?” I’m surprised he would tell something so significant to just anyone.

He shakes his head. “She figured it out. Of all the people to tell, you are the one that should have known first. I’m sorry it didn’t turn out that way. Finn and Dec knew, but that’s because Finn…well, I was excited and had to tell someone.

“Also I wanted to make sure I wasn’t crazy thinking the Goddess spoke to me. And Dec because it slipped out the day you left. I wanted you to know, but I had to wait for the Goddess to let you see. I wanted you to feel the excitement I felt when I found out.”

I was so excited when my eyes locked with his. I swear no one else existed, only him. I cuddle up into his arms and smell his intoxicating scent. I thought he smelled good before, now I salivate. And his touch, Oh holy Goddess above, it’s enough to ignite me.

Shouting from across the hall grabs my attention. “What’s going on?” My feet move on their own toward the screaming.

Damon grabs my hand. “We got a rogue last night. It’s Alana’s sister Sarah and she’s in pretty bad shape. Freya recognized her in time to keep her alive. Marlena had to sedate her. You should know, she’s the one that helped bring rogues to the Redd pack. You don’t have to heal her if you don’t want to.”

I shake my head. “I can’t just let her die.” Damon nods and lets me go.

I open the door and Marlena is doing chest compressions. “Marlena, keep going,” I tell her as I hold Sarah’s head. I never did meet her, but it wouldn’t matter, her face is swollen and her body is thrashed so I still have no idea what she looks like.

I let my healing energy into her enough to get her heart going, but her brain is swollen so I get that under control and the machines finally quiet down.

“Okay. You can stop now,” I tell Marlena. I check Sarah over and I know there’s so much healing ahead for her, but she’s not going to die anytime soon. I let go and tell Marlena what I felt.

She shakes her head astonished of the injuries. “Welcome back, Luna. I was wondering how much longer we would have to wait for you.” She chuckles then gives me a hug. “It’s good to have you back, sweetie. I see you learned to stop yourself.”

“It’s good to be back. I did, I learned control. How is Spencer? I haven’t heard from him in months,” I ask as we walk toward her desk. Damon stays behind in the room.

“He’s good and healthy, but he’s been moody lately. He’s been staying out late and sleeping all day. Damon even took him off his patrol.” She looks up as Damon exits the room.

He gives me a soft smile then pulls me into his arms. Marlena looks between us. “I’m so happy for the two of you. I only hope Spencer can meet his mate soon and that she’s as sweet as you.” I chuckle and Damon kisses my head.

Damon addresses Marlena. “Owen asked if he can visit Sarah. I told him he can stop in as long as he has someone with him.” Marlena nods and Damon steers me out of the hospital.

“Did you know she was in distress?” Damon opens my door and helps me in.

“Yeah. Marlena told me she wasn’t doing well and that she didn’t have much hope. I didn’t know it was going to be like that when we got here, though.”

“So what now?”

“Well. Everyone is getting settled in with the baby, so tonight it’s just us. I was hoping we could run together.” At that, an excited smile spreads across my face.